A community for connection and exploration in Columbus

Our Speaker Lineup is Here!

Hello CYP Club Members,

We’re excited to officially announce the speaker and storyteller lineup for the 12th annual Columbus Emerging Leaders’ Summit, happening on Friday, March 27 (8:00 AM-3:00 PM) at Capital Choice Furniture Showroom.

This year’s Summit brings together an incredible group of leaders, innovators, and community builders who will share real-world insights, experiences, and perspectives to help you grow both personally and professionally.

🎤 2026 Speaker & Storyteller Lineup

• Aaron Helton – Leadership Consultant, Integrated Leadership Systems
​• Adero Robinson – Chief Executive Officer, Communities In Schools of Ohio
​• Ankit Shah – Manager of Organizational Development, EXPRESS; Vice President, Central Ohio Belonging Consortium
​• Anthony McIntosh – Chief Executive Officer, UpRys
​• Ashley Otler – Owner, Simply Plated; Founder, Black Women Connect
​• Christian Noel Johnson – Founder & Empowerment Coach, Christian Noel
​• Dana Sadiq – Vice President, CCB Marketing Strategy Testing & Analytics, JPMorgan Chase
​• Elizabeth Skovron – Director of Marketing & Communications, Denison Edge
​• Hannah McCorkle – Senior Manager of Marketing; Director of Marathon in Training, Fleet Feet Columbus
• Hannah Shafransky-Smith – Founder & CEO, Modern Maven Advisors
​• Katherine Grogan – Director of Operations, Accelerating Angels
​• Kelsey Lensman – Founder & CEO, Xpand Your Limits
​• Kenneth Williams Jr. – Co-Founder & Board President, Minority Autism Connection
​• Kristy Wedel – Founder, ReMemora AI
​• Laura Klarich – Chief of Staff, Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club
​• Lillian Morales-Laster – Executive Director, Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA)
​• Marilyn Mehaffie – Chief Executive Officer, St. Stephen’s Community House
• Michaun Winborn – Chief Executive Officer, Born2Win Coaching; DEI Senior Manager, United Way of Central Ohio
​• Michelle Brown – President & Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Hunger Alliance
​• Michelle Kellner – Vice President, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, Huntington National Bank
• Nick Fortine – President & Publisher, Columbus Business First
​• Nicole Espinoza – Business Owner; Board Member, Hispanic Chamber of Columbus
​• Phillip DiSilvestri – President, Capital Choice Office Furniture
​• Sarah Peters – Vice President, Branch General Manager, Huntington National Bank

From fireside conversations and executive networking to our signature Leadership in Real-Time Talks, this year’s program is designed to deliver practical insight, meaningful connection, and real inspiration.

🎟️ Early-bird tickets are still available for the next 24 hours only!

We hope you’ll join us for one of the most impactful leadership experiences of the year.

Reserve your seat at the Summit

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🚀 Crash Course Columbus 2026: Applications Now Open

New to Columbus or know someone who is? Crash Course Columbus is our 3-month cohort experience (April-June) designed to help new residents and new hires quickly build connections, explore neighborhoods, and plug into the community.

From a German Village food tour and Downtown bus tour to the Volunteer Festival, OSU behind-the-scenes, and a Clippers game night, this is your fast track into the city -- plus you’ll receive a Crash Course Passport, CYPremium access, and a ticket to A Taste of Columbus.

Learn more + apply

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📅 Upcoming CYP Club Events

🍻 Mar. 23: Board Games & Beer Night at Getaway Brewing Co.

Kick off the week with a casual evening of board games and craft beer. Meet new friends and check out Getaway Brewery in Dublin!

Get on the guest list

🐾 Mar. 28: Bark & Browse Morning Market at The Wag​

Come enjoy a fun morning market featuring local makers, pet-friendly partners, live music, food trucks, coffee, and plenty of good vibes for dogs and their people -- plus an Easter Bunny photo opp. Free to attend!

Join us at The Wag

☕ Apr. 8: Coffee with a Cause at COhatch Upper Arlington

Start your morning with purpose and connection! This month’s program, Change & Sustainability Efforts in Columbus, highlights the innovative work happening across our region to create a more resilient, environmentally responsible, and forward-thinking city. Free to attend!

Register to attend

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Want enhanced access this month?

CYPremium members enjoy free or discounted access to all of our March events -- including FREE access to the Columbus Emerging Leaders' Summit -- along with exclusive experiences and added perks throughout the year. It’s a great way to stay involved, try something new, and get even more from the CYP Club this month and beyond.

Learn more about CYPremium

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Support for CYP comes from our sponsors:

​Learn more about partnership opportunities with us!

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There’s a lot of energy building around this year’s Columbus Emerging Leaders’ Summit and it’s starting to show.

Close to 200 tickets have already been claimed, and we’re shaping up for a room full of driven, curious, and engaged young professionals from across Central Ohio.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, this is a good time to lock it in, as early-bird tickets are still available through Friday!

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Why This One Matters

The Emerging Leaders’ Summit isn’t just another event -- it’s a chance to step away from the day-to-day and spend time learning, connecting, and growing alongside people who are all moving forward.

You’ll be in the room with leaders, professionals, and organizations that are actively shaping the Columbus region, including:

Capital Choice Office Furniture, Huntington Bank, HRACO, Fisher College at Ohio State, BBB of Central Ohio, Credit Union of Ohio, Dawson Careers, Owens Corning, Denison Edge, Scioto Downs, Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio, Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio, ELLA (Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy), OSU Honors Cohort, Case Western University, and COTA!

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What’s Next 👀

We’ll be announcing this year’s speaker lineup on Friday, March 20, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

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Join Us

Whether you're looking to grow your leadership skills, expand your network, or simply be in the room for something meaningful, this is one of those events that tends to stick with people.

Reserve your seat at the Emerging Leaders’ Summit

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🏡 This Week with CYP

Join us and our partners at Credit Union of Ohio on Wednesday, March 19th for Thinking About Buying a Home? Let’s Talk It Through.

This relaxed, roundtable conversation will walk through credit, down payments, and the first steps toward homeownership in a welcoming, judgment-free setting -- with sandwiches and snacks included. Free to attend and a great opportunity to get informed and ask questions.

Join us at this free event

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🤝 Community Spotlight

Our friends at The Honors Cohort at Fisher College of Business and Flying Horse Farms invite you to get involved in a meaningful way.

As part of their Impact Challenge, the OSU Honors Cohort is partnering with Flying Horse Farms to support children with serious illnesses through a special evening event on Wednesday, March 25 from 5-7pm.

CYP Club members are invited to attend to learn more and connect with fellow young leaders who are passionate about making a difference!

Attend their free kick-off event

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Want enhanced access this month?

CYPremium members enjoy free or discounted access to all of our March events -- including FREE access to the Columbus Emerging Leaders' Summit -- along with exclusive experiences and added perks throughout the year. It’s a great way to stay involved, try something new, and get even more from the CYP Club this month and beyond.

Learn more about CYPremium

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Support for CYP comes from our sponsors:

​Learn more about sponsorship options in 2026!

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